Sample
  • The Name of the Wind

  • Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1
  • By: Patrick Rothfuss
  • Narrated by: Nick Podehl
  • Length: 27 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (106,768 ratings)

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The Name of the Wind

By: Patrick Rothfuss
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
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Editorial reviews

Why we think it's Essential - When you finish listening to The Name of Wind for the first time, you'll wonder where the hours went. When you listen again (and if you listen to it once, you will want to listen a second time) you'll marvel at the depth and intricacy of the fantasy world that Rothfuss has created. Details that initially seemed irrelevant will show themselves to be keystones of a greater story you didn't even notice the first time around. By the time your finger hovers over the Play button for a third time you'll realize that, to quote George R.R. Martin, "he's bloody good, this Rothfuss guy." --Michael

Publisher's summary

Discover #1 New York Times bestselling Patrick Rothfuss’ epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle.

“I just love the world of Patrick Rothfuss.” (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

“He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” (George R. R. Martin)

“Rothfuss has real talent.” (Terry Brooks)

Over 1 Million Copies Sold!

Day One: The Name of the Wind

My name is Kvothe.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.

So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature - the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.

Praise for The Kingkiller Chronicle:

“The best epic fantasy I read last year.... He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” (George R. R. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of A Song of Ice and Fire)

“Rothfuss has real talent, and his tale of Kvothe is deep and intricate and wondrous.” (Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of Shannara)

"It is a rare and great pleasure to find a fantasist writing...with true music in the words." (Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author of Earthsea)

"The characters are real and the magic is true.” (Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author of Assassin’s Apprentice)

"Masterful.... There is a beauty to Pat's writing that defies description." (Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of Mistborn)

©2007 by Patrick Rothfuss. (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“The originality of Rothfuss's outstanding debut fantasy, the first of a trilogy, lies less in its unnamed imaginary world than in its precise execution…As absorbing on a second reading as it is on the first, this is the type of assured, rich first novel most writers can only dream of producing. The fantasy world has a new star.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Fantasy readers-a notoriously discerning group-tend to dole out praise judiciously, which makes the reception of The Name of the Wind, the first volume in Patrick Rothfuss's The Kingkiller Chronicle, that much more remarkable. Critics are already throwing around comparisons to some of the biggest names in fantasy, including George R. R. Martin, Tad Williams, the recently deceased Robert Jordan, and even Tolkien. (Bookmarks Magazine)

“New fantasy authors are usually overhyped, and it's rare to find one who writes with such assurance and narrative skill right from the start. I was reminded of Ursula LeGuin, George R. R. Martin, and J. R. R. Tolkien, but never felt that Rothfuss was imitating anyone. Like the writers he clearly admires, he's an old-fashioned storyteller working with traditional elements, but his voice is his own. I haven't been so gripped by a new fantasy series in years. It's certain to become a classic." (Lisa Tuttle, The Times)

Featured Article: Books Like Game of Thrones—Best Epic Fantasy Books & Series


It's time to branch out and find some new material to fill that dragon-shaped hole in your listening life. If you liked Game of Thrones, these epic fantasy books are your next best listen. Some are standalone novels, some are the start of a new series, and others are the first in a completed series. Oh, and they're all excellent. And as Tyrion Lannister said, "... a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge."

What listeners say about The Name of the Wind

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Narrator of the Gods

Patrick started off slow and then really sucked me right into this world he built. I started this book about 4 times and then went to something else. came back, left etc. I found it hard to care about the first few chapters.
I'm so glad I kept trying. Once the "story" begins it's a real page turner.
Usually with Audible there are characters or view point characters where the narrator struggles with voices. (Enders Game was the worst, I found speeding up the female voice to 1.75 made her sound normal.)
The narrator of this book was hands down the most skilled in all aspects of narration. Absolutely amazing. He possibly even made the original work better.
The female voices which are usual distracting when voiced by a male(and vice versa) were seemless. the accents, particularly the Russian accent was flawless.
I hope it's the same author for the other two books in this series. oh yeah, it's a 3 book series.
this is a solid pick for your Audible collection if you like this type of fiction.

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Fantasy story within a story.

I don't like giving spoilers, but I will say that there's magic of sorts, chased romance, adventure, and challenges. The performance is decent, but limited by the number of voices he is able to convey.

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wow

best story I've read in a long long time, and I've been reading fantasy for over 20 years. better than game of thrones and Harry Potter....has more heart than Stephen Erikson's garden of the moons...overall has both function and form in great equal parts. a truly great story.

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Best Audiobook Ever

This is the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to. I’ve read the novel and loved it, but it’s been a long time since I read it and with a big trip coming up I downloaded this to listen to. This story was made to be audible. It’s a story within a story within a story. Beautifully written and presented. You will not regret listening.

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Damn...

This is the best book I have read in an extremely long time. I purchased the sequel half way through.

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Fantastic

Overall a fantastic novel!! the narrator really embodied how I imagined this character to sound, so thank you Nick podehl for making Kvothe come to life!

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great read

the book is great but I get the feeling we will have to wait a long time for updates in the following volumes

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awesome

Left me wanting more. While the story is not action packed it is extremely captivating.

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One of my Favorite Books of all Time!

One of my Favorite Books of all Time! You just have to experience it to understand its depth of character. If you don't understand the first 40 or so pages, hang in because you will.

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My favorite book

this is my favorite book every, followed only by is sequal. that don't start book until book 3is released

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